Curiosity killed the cat

 

NO -- I'm not moving. We're quite happy where we are, but I noticed on my recent walks that there are two houses for sale in our area. One of them is empty, and I noticed that it's been recently renovated. That fact was hard to miss when there's been a huge dumpster in the driveway for weeks. The other house is up for sale - AGAIN! It doesn't seem to sell, then it goes back on the market again. 

Let's face it - curiosity killed the cat, and I had to see what the inside of each looked like. While the area is desirable, neither house is on a desirable street or location on the street. I found the houses online this morning, but those real estate agents are getting sneaky - you have to log in if you want to see the listings. And I've already had at least two e-mails and two texts asking to set up an appointment. Good grief!!!

Even after I said that I LIVE in the area and was just being nosy!

I was a bit surprised at the price of each - I would have thought the price would be higher, but given their location on the street, I guess that's why. I would have thought that the house that was just renovated would have a higher price tag. Not so. Let's see how quickly they sell. 

I really wanted to see the one that hasn't sold. Perhaps it looks like a dump inside? Nope - the pictures make it look like a pretty nice house. The pictures are always deceiving because the rooms look HUGE even though they are normal size. 

Well, we're not in the market to sell, and because our house does not have a new kitchen or new bathrooms, I'm not sure how well-received it would be. But the location? Oh yes - that's a valuable commodity for our house. 

I'm feeling better today. Well, still not 100%, but much better, and that's all I care about. I did post-post my visit with the chiro - we'll have a chat next week. This week, it's all about just getting through this. At least, the room doesn't spin when I get up! Well, not as fast as it was!

Did you have trouble with your Android apps yesterday? I did - two of my apps wouldn't open. I restarted my phone. Nope, that didn't work. I shut it totally off and turned it back on. That didn't work either. Got a call from Ronda, who noticed the same thing the previous evening. She was in a rush and ended up doing a factory restart which has its own issues. I checked Google and found out there was a bug fix, which took all of thirty seconds to update, and I was back in business. Phew - I missed a technology nightmare with that Google search. 

I've got three presentations today with a bit of prep work to do, so that'll be the focus today. I'm madly writing as well, and as a result, the long arm has been abandoned for the moment. But after today, I'm done with presentations for this week, so I'll be downstairs and madly quilting and sewing. Two whole days - it'll be glorious!

I noticed yesterday that the palette that presented so much entertainment is now gone!!

The palette is GONE

Hmmm - I wonder what happened to it? I haven't seen that man either for months. I wonder if he'll be back once the weather warms up for good? 

I was sitting in the backyard yesterday and thought about my little scrap holder for the birds. It was EMPTY. 

The scrap holder is empty

So I brought it in the house and filled it with small scraps from the scrap box. I hope the birds or the squirrels find something useful to line their nests. 

The scrap holder is now full

Here's that book I was talking about - "Making a Life" by Melanie Falick. It's essentially about very hard-core artisans from all over the world who have adopted a maker's life and make a living from their work. 

Making a Life by Melanie Falick

In the Introduction, there's an interesting concept. We've lost so much tradition by not making things. With the advent of so many modern conveniences, we've lost the ability to do many things. And we've lost the problem-solving skills that come with making things. I couldn't agree more. What would our world be like if people had to MAKE things to live? Like chop wood, grow their own gardens, etc. The world would be so different because people would have less time to get bored, they would have less time to get into trouble, and they would be making their brains work. 

One person likens making things as a necessity of life. Could this be the root of some of the mental health issues? So much stress to achieve? And nowhere to release it? 

I was always a maker - at times more than others (now it's pretty much 100% of my time), but I'm a much happier person for it. And I've heard over and over that quilter's buying habits are cheaper than therapy, and I believe that statement is very true!!!

What we need to do is encourage young children to make and KEEP making. 

So I promised some Long Time Gone photos. I'll share two of them, with the rest coming tomorrow. The pictures are in alphabetical order, so we get those that start with the letter B this morning. 

First up is Bernice. I LOVE the positive-negative thing she did with the churn dashes. I'm so surprised at how much variety we got in that churn dash block. And then look at the Crosses and Star block. Again, everyone treated this block so differently, and I LOVE what she did. I'm still not 100% happy with mine, and maybe I'll make it over and put the first one on the back! 

Bernice

This next set of blocks belongs to Betty. She didn't change up the value placement but arranged her colors in a unique pattern. And I LOVE the Crosses and star block. The star really pops out. 

Betty

Betty

Can you see how the quilt blocks look totally different with two VERY different fabric choices. 

OK -- hopefully that will keep you happy today! As far as for show and tell for Long Time Gone. There's more tomorrow. 

A couple of reminders - the winners for the Cherrywood Challenge will be announced tomorrow. Seriously?? Today is Wednesday? For some reason, I lost a day - I thought it was Tuesday. 

Cherrywood winners announced tomorrow

And the virtual retreat is THIS WEEKEND. 

Here's the Zoom link for Saturday evening, which starts at 6 PM and goes to 9 PM. 

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

Here's the Zoom link for Sunday, which starts at 10 AM and goes to 8 PM.

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87246635892?pwd=VGY1cUUyLzRaRi9VUVV2ZWFINXc2dz09 Meeting ID: 872 4663 5892 Passcode: 440473

And that's it for today. I've got to get myself organized and get some prep done!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!